Rants and musings about things political, philosophical, and religious.

Don’t Vote Republican

Over at By Common Consent there is a post suggesting that we not vote Republican for the midterm elections.

The author of the post makes a distinction between issue/ideological voting and approval voting. I agree with the author that it’s high time we use the approval voting method and root out the corruption and power-hungry career politicians who have enjoyed the comfort and dominion of their office for too long.

One also then must entertain the question of throwing away one’s vote. If I don’t vote Republican, who cares? I’m in Utah. The GOP will more than likely take sweeps. In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, “A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.” I’m not throwing away my vote. I’ll be making a stand—personal, political, and ideological. Whether those I vote for win or not, I will be able to answer my Maker and my own conscience knowing that I took a stand. I’ll be voting for those who support the Constitution of this country.

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17 Responses to “Don’t Vote Republican”

I, on the other hand, will vote REPUBLICAN. Because I believe the ideology of the party and because there is NO WAY I would help a Democrat to win.
Where did I go wrong raising this kid?!? I shall pray for his political soul . . . . :)

Well, Mother, I think you did a pretty good job raising Connor. As a matter of fact, I would assume that both you and your husband are probably pretty neat people too. The apple never really falls far from the tree. Never forget, he has an inalienable right to be wrong, to make any silly political decision he wants. At least he is thinking, and at least he is involved!

The worst thing, for me, would to be apathetic about our nation’s future. And we can disagree without being disagreeable!!! I am a Democrat, and have been treated with respect on this blog. I think we all want the same thing which is a better America for our children to inherit.

Oh, lovely. Now I have to pray for Connor AND Robert! :)
I’m just delighted to see young people who are actively THINKING and PARTICIPATING!!! That’s awesome. And eventually, you will come to the truth . . . :)
(Sorry – I have a WICKED sense of humor so you must rarely take what I say seriously . . . . )

This article does a much better job at directly answering your question than I care to attempt. My favorite part is the last two paragraphs:

It seems clear that “conservative” Republicans want to save us from liberal Democrats the same way that German fascists wanted to save their country from communists. In the end, both parties seek to dismantle freedom and constitutional government. They only differ in style; in substance they are twins. While fiercely opposing each other, both parties seek but one thing: unbridled power.

As things stand now, we do not need to fear al Qaeda, Iran, or North Korea near as much as we need to fear the abuse of power from within our own government. There is no question in my mind that we have the military power and strength to fight off any foreign enemy. The bigger question is, Do we have the moral power and strength to fight off those within our own country who would strip us of our freedoms? How we answer that question will determine our ultimate destiny.

Partisan politics are out of control. It’s all a game—a game to retain power and office. Self-serving career politicians have hijacked our country and couldn’t care less what their constituents feel (for the most part). The following quote is also quite telling:

“Within the context of the revolutionary generation, however, giving one’s allegiance to a political party remained illegitimate. It violated the core of virtue and disinterestedness presumed essential for anyone properly equipped to versee public affairs. Neither Washington nor Adams had ever played a direct role in their own campaigns for office. … [Thomas Jefferson] described party allegiance as ‘the last degradation of a free and moral agent’ and claimed that ‘if I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.'” (Founding Brothers, p. 210)

Too bad we don’t have many men of such caliber today. The Republican platform, for the most part, is a good one. However, the party has become quite corrupt (as has the Democractic party) and the politicians seemingly look after their own. On the other hand, when I read the Constitution Party’s platform I feel the Spirit testify of its truthfulness. I am moved by how correct and principled it is. I take heart when I meet the men running for office within the CP here in Utah and see what great lives they’ve lead, and how dedicated they are to bringing our government back to the Constitutional principles upon which it was founded.

I also find it quite interesting that Joseph Smith said (according to Mosiah Hancock in his journal entry) that there would later be an “Independent American Party” which is now an affiliate and potential merger with the Constitution Party…

Thanks, Connor’s Mom, for the prayers! I feel, however, I am a probably a lost cause. In 1979, I went and voted for Jimmy Carter after he suceeded the election to Ronald Regan! There were actually quite a few who did the same thing.

I just find is so funny how all the Liberals (and Independants?) are trying really hard to make is sound like Christians and Conservatives should vote differently than they have for a long time. I point out this blog and the one at BCC about kicking “the bum Republicans” out. What a JOKE! The best things like this are going to do, and the opposition is counting on it, is give the Christians and Conservatives pause about voting at all. They certainly aren’t going to vote for people they believe hate everything they stand for and make or not make laws to back that up.

My prediction this Nov.? Republicans keep all three Houses with perhaps a slightly less majority. If I am wrong? Two years from Nov. will see one of the greatest Repub. turnouts since the mid 90s.

Mother, have you considered the fact that you have taught your son to believe in constitutional principles, and that your son is seeking to find some party or group that represents those principles? Many old-timers believed that these principles were better found in the Republican Party. However, the Republican Party no longer espouses those principles. The Republicans no longer believe in fiscal responsibility, Geneva Conventions, Bill of Rights, etc, and now believe in imperial dominion, torture, scandals of all sorts, etc. Most Americans will go to the polls and vote for the “lesser of two evils.” It is very true that both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party are both evil to the core, and we will of a fact be voting for the lesser of the two evils. Sadly, our vote means nothing anymore, and both you and Connor will be throwing your votes away if you use one of those black-box voting machines. As for myself, I have registered to vote absentee, so that at least MY vote will have some sort of paper trail. But I have not yet decided to vote Democratic or other 3rd party. I will probably vote for Steve Olsen (D), and 3rd party on everybody else. But I cannot bring myself to vote for anyone in the Republican Party because of what their party has morphed into since the neo-cons have come to power.

Republicans have had six years to prove themselves. They failed. They are not conservative, nor for small government. They use Christians for votes and care not for compassion, much less conservatism. They only wish to have more votes than the other guy. Those are not the qualities of good governance.

I fear though that even when (not if) Republicans lose this November, they will do all in their power to shut government down these next to years so in 2008 they can go to the public and proclaim Democrats as ineffective governors, even though their attempts to gridlock Congress would be at the heart of the ineffectual government. i.e. I believe the Republican party no longer cares about actually taking care of the country, but sticking it to the Democrats.

I’m not the first person to say this, but Republicans are probably more unable to govern because of their philosophy, not in spite of it.

At the heart of conservatism is this notion that government is inefficient, can’t be trusted with power, and is part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Remember Grover Norquist’s famous quote about shrinking government to the size where it can be drowned in the bathtub.

Would a person with those ideas be a good person to govern? You wouldn’t hire a fire fighter who thought that fire departments were ineffective and had to be kept powerless. What about an orchestra conductor who hated music?

Republicans have contempt for government. That’s why they don’t try to do better at it and try to loot it if possible. And it’s why they can’t govern.

All “labels” aside, what about the independent party? I recently took a pretty quality quiz on MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) concerning various issues that helped me decide where I stand, and from there, which candidates supported the issues I most value. I found it very helpful, especially with the misleading television and radio ads that are out there these days (does anyone else find them less than informative!?) Just as economics thrives on good old fashioned competition, it appears we have two political monopolies that are dominating the ballot, almost beyond the point of return. Why not give the other guys a chance? FOR REAL. Otherwise, we might always be forced to choose between the “lesser of two evils.” In all of life, it’s not always black and white, right or wrong, what about the compromise, the middle ground, the alternative choices!
As Connor so eloquently pointed out, at this point it’s just a power struggle, about which team is bigger and mightier. The real issues are being overlooked.
But, like it sounds many of you already plan to do, VOTE VOTE VOTE. It doesn’t matter WHO you vote for, but it’s IMPERATIVE that you DO VOTE.

I recently took a pretty quality quiz on MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) concerning various issues that helped me decide where I stand, and from there, which candidates supported the issues I most value.

My co-workers and I have talked about the desire to have a website where one could learn the political stance of all potential candidates. No verbose speeches, no beating around the bush, just a bunch of straight-shooting Q&A. Are you for/against abortion? Are you for/against illegal immigration? Are you for/against same-sex marriage. I realize that many of these issues can’t be boiled down to a simple yes/no, so perhaps a few sentences would suffice to allow the candidate to clarify their stance. But having a website where somebody could learn the stance and beliefs of all candidates would be a great way to figure out who you should vote for, rather than absurdly voting the party’s ticket.

Just as economics thrives on good old fashioned competition, it appears we have two political monopolies that are dominating the ballot, almost beyond the point of return.

AMEN. I’m reading Animal Farm right now which demonstrates such a struggle, and it’s interesting to note how long this two-party system has been going on.

It doesn’t matter WHO you vote for, but it’s IMPERATIVE that you DO VOTE.

Well, with the Diebold voting machines rapidly becoming the norm it almost becomes pointless to vote. As this video shows, elections can now be even more easily rigged. However, I will still vote regardless of the corruption that will nullify such a vote, because it is my solemn civic responsibility and I will be able to stand with a clear conscience before my Maker knowing that I supported those who fought to support the Constitution.

it is worse than that. On my blog, I discuss how Diebold machines can be hacked into very easily and without a trace. So how can we trust that the machine will give out accurate information at the polls. I really worry about this election.

Out of fear for losing my vote inside some rigged black box, I have applied for an absentee ballot at the county courthouse. I don’t know if this will actually help anything, but I conclude that my vote will at least reside on some piece of paper somewhere. And since I’ve read this morning’s paper about a debate between Rob Bishop and Steve Olsen, I’ve decided I cannot even trust Olsen to represent my views. I think I will be voting a straight ticket of the Constitution Party.

About the Author

Connor Boyack is president of Libertas Institute, a public policy think tank in Utah. He is the author of several books along with hundreds of columns and articles championing individual liberty. Connor's work has been publicly praised by national figures such as Ron Paul, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Tom Woods, and many others.

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